I moved to Oaks about ten years ago from the noisy streets
of Norristown.  It took me awhile to become
accustomed to all this quiet but it didn’t take long and now I wouldn’t change
a thing.  Ok maybe that’s not completely
true.  There is one thing that I would change;
it’s that nice big LOUD fire siren.  So I
will ask this simple question is there anyone else that can’t stand this thing?
 

Every year when the weather gets nice I open the windows and
I’m reminded of how loud that thing is and how often it goes off.  For
the longest time I shrugged it off for the greater good but my latest reminder occurredearly this morning 4am early, the siren went off and all the kids came runninginto the bedroom crying, a usual occurrence when the fire siren wails. So am I the only one that thinks the noise from this thing is unreasonable in this age
of wireless communication maybe not during normal hours but between the hours
of 10p.m. and 7am

About two years ago Royersford had a similar debate which
ended with the elimination of their siren. I’m not suggesting the elimination I’m simply asking is there really a
reason that the siren needs to be utilized late at night in this day and age of
technology?    

Now before anyone jumps down my throat let me say this I would never begrudge a needed piece of equipment to any emergency personnel.   I have been a police officer for over 16 years a detective for 11 and a member of the S.W.A.T. team for 10 and before that I was a rescue diver with a volunteer fire department.  So I know which end is up. 

These are very good questions, which I have wondered about myself.

I know there are some folks involved with Oaks Neighbors that are also volunteers at the fire department.  I wonder about their perspective?

I live right across Black Rock Road from the fire department.  I tend to not hear the sirens anymore... However, my parents visited this past weekend and they noticed and commented about how frequently the siren goes off...

Come to think of it, I also have a neighbor who is with the fire department.  Sometimes I see him leave the house with his blue light flashing BEFORE the siren goes off - so, they do seem to also be using technologies (the phone? texting?) to communicate about emergencies...

very surprised that long time residents don't know the story of the Oaks Fire Company.

I do not enjoy the siren either as although sometimes you don't seem to hear it as loud, you never get used to it.  The Oaks Fire Co. is a volunteer company and receive donations to help with their funding.  When speaking with one of the fire guys, they do have paging system that alerts them to a fire... the siren is meant for the community to remind them they are a volunteer company and to show people how oftern fire calls do occur.  They need donations to help in running it.  I'm all for supporting them but I'm in agreement too that there should be some time frame that this is allowed.  I think something like 11pm-6am would be reasonable.

Now that they have merged with Monte Clare Fire Co., who knows if we will hear it even more.

I've always wondered why they don't do a 'Silence the Whistle' fund raiser.  Set a goal and if the community reaches it, then they don't blow the whistle for a year.  That way everybody wins!  (Assuming the community can meet the FD's goal.)